Hauntingly Real: a Parent’s Tale

Read Time:3 Minute, 51 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Lullaby (Cinco Lobitos)
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2022
Runtime: 1h 44m
Director(s): Alauda Ruiz de Azua
Writer(s): Alauda Ruiz de Azua
Cast: Laia Costa, Susi Sánchez, Ramón Barea, Mikel Bustamante, José Ramón Soroiz, Asier Valdestilla, Justi Larrinaga, Isidoro Fernández, Gloria Helguera, Carmen Berbaola
Language: Spanish, Basque, and English with English subtitles
Where To Watch: opens exclusively at the Cinema Village in New York on July 19, 2024, and the Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles on July 26, with more cities to follow. Part of the Latin & Spanish Film Showcase; for more information, visit www.outsiderpictures.us

RAVING REVIEW: Laia Costa stars as Amaia in LULLABY, whose journey through the rugged terrains of new motherhood is anything but sugar-coated. Amid a backdrop of unique and unknown occurrences, the film takes an honest look at the daunting challenges of parenting, serving up a relatable and challenging story.

The story captures Amaia wrestling with the painful recovery from childbirth and navigating the sea of advice that surrounds new mothers. The departure of her partner Javi, portrayed by Mikel Bustamante, adds a layer of solitude to her life as he heads off to Valencia for work. This leaves Amaia no choice but to retreat to her childhood home on the Basque coast, where old family tensions bubble to the surface. Her mother, Begoña (Susi Sánchez), handles stress in the most unsettling ways, providing a visual metaphor for the internal chaos often hidden within family walls.

The narrative portrays the evolving dynamics of care within a family. As Amaia shifts from receiving to giving care, mainly when illness makes its rounds, the film highlights the harsh yet tender realities tied to familial responsibilities.

However, LULLABY finds itself trapped by the typical confines of its genre. The integration of uncomfortable dramatic elements doesn't elevate the plot as intended. While these elements aim to enhance the tension, they often feel like mere additions rather than integral parts of the story. When the film focuses on the main story, it’s nearly flawless.

The film truly shines in its portrayal of complex human emotions. Costa and Sánchez's performances stand out, conveying the intricacies of a mother-daughter relationship fraught with love and conflict. Ramón Barea adds a critical layer to this familial portrayal, his character, Koldo, oscillating between strength and vulnerability. Jon D. Domínguez’s cinematography intimately captures these dynamics, pulling the audience closer to the family’s emotional sphere.

The film's director, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, draws inspiration from cinematic icons to craft a narrative rich in emotional depth and realism. Her precise handling of domestic themes cuts across the superficial to touch on universally resonant struggles, making personal battles accessible and empathetic.

The film's production design and soundscape bolster the narrative, making it more of an experience. Transforming ordinary settings into charged emotional landscapes, the sound design amplifies the internal and external battles Amaia faces.

While LULLABY may not revolutionize the genre, it delivers a robust psychological depth and suspense blend. Its real strength lies in combining genuine emotional stakes into the fabric of its narrative, reflecting on the profound changes and sacrifices inherent in the journey of parenthood.

LULLABY melds haunting family drama with elements of psychological drama to produce a narrative that resonates with the enduring strength of familial ties and the relentless challenges of new life stages.

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[photo courtesy of OUTSIDER PICTURES]

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